31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 19 Buying Santa Claus Collectibles through Online Auctions PART DEUX Another BAD Experience

I was doing a search for Santas on eBay late last night. I like to search through "Ending Soon" auctions every now and then. Of those that were about to close, I found a three auctions with no bids and very low starting prices. One of the auctions had a small David Frykman Santa, and two of the auctions had a House of Hatten elf. Now, I don't collect elves, but I do have a few vintage and a couple of HofH. I do have a couple of Frykman reproductions, but now that he has retired, perhaps they will become more valuable.

Anyway, I noticed that the seller had a rather high shipping amount, but I felt at least the elves were worth $30, plus I would get all the other ornaments that were mostly mass produced resin Santas.

The good news, I won the auctions because no one else bid on them. I sent a note asking the seller if he would consider combining the items and reduce the shipping but he wouldn't. The shipping for 29 ornaments was $29, which in eBay terms is known as "padding the shipping".  So I asked if the seller if he would please consider taking a smaller lot I won for .99 off the transaction bringing my shipping down to $20 (still high) but I did not hear back from him.

So, this morning I wake up and check my email so that I can read Lara's Blog and find that the seller has responded by canceling ALL of my purchases. I sent him a message and he replied (not is a pleasant way) that he refused to sell them to me and for me not to bid on the relisted items.

And no, sellers are NOT supposed to do that, but I guess he was miffed because he did not get want he wanted for items.

Of course, I contacted eBay's customer support and I filed a complaint. I also mentioned the "padded" shipping and the rep "Tom" added that to the report as well. When Tom read the emails (all correspondence through eBay is available for CS to read) he said that the seller's behavior was uncalled for and he put that in the report as well. Then Tom told me to bid on the items and if the seller blocked me or refused to sell me the items again, he would be suspended. So, there!

The seller did this to me and I responded appropriately. I was unable to leave negative feedback since the transactions had been cancelled which concerns me, because if gets away with this, what is to prevent him from doing it to someone else.

Just a word of warning, on an online auction, the item you won is not yours until it is in your hands.

So, according to my favorite  quote, "If the Lord meant for me to have it...", I guess the Lord did not mean for me to have these. But in the nonBiblical quote, "When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." He did give me something else.

Well, like I said, it is not mine until it is in my hands.

I was exhausted this evening and after dinner I slipped down in my chair and searched the "Ending Soon"...will I ever learn?

Nevertheless, I found this Santa!

So, for less than the other lots of commonly found ornaments, I was able to get this (perhaps one of a kind?) Santa figure who is 27" tall. I think the tallest Santa may be half that size, but I am looking forward to his arrival!

Now, I know that there are those out there who think collecting and/or crafting Santas is a waste of time and money, but it is cheaper than therapy.

To me, Santa represents generosity and, like Saint Nicholas, not expecting something in return.

Santa is not the only thing I "collect" but it is the only thing I OVER-collect. I have no intentions to beat out Jean-Guy Laguerre, the Guinness Book of World's record holder of over 25,000 Santas.

Besides, I sell some to buy others every few years. I really don't spend THAT much because I mostly shop at garage sales, thrift stores, and place low bids on eBay.

I think it is much more fun to "hunt: and find the really good deals.

It all goes back to, "If the Lord meant for me to have something, I'd find it at..."

And if you come to my house, you'll see that the Lord is VERY generous.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 18 Dusting Santas

I have been following a fellow 31 Dayer,  Lara, and her blog 31 Days of Less Clutter and More Peace. I enjoy having my morning cup of tea and reading her daily post.

This is a bit ironic being that I seem to thrive on clutter, it is the sustenance that inspires me, but I really like a lot more when it is organized.

While taking photos of my Santas for this blog, I discovered how terribly dusty my Santas had become. Usually, at the beginning of November, I start the process of dusting the Santas I display year round. I have a cabinet in the foyer specifically for my chalkware Santa collection and on the top, I display some of the Santas I have made.  I have a few on shelves in my dining room, but most are either in the china cabinet or on top of it. In the house alone, I have over 100 Santas on display.

I really dread it this year because I have been dropping things lately. It might be my getting older, my arthritis, or if I am distracted, I am more likely to drop something. It is really frustrating since most of the Santas I keep on display year round are fragile...and expensive.

Sometimes I would like to sell all of my collection, but then I probably just collect something else.

I got as far as opening the china cabinet door, took one look at all the work I had in store, realized I was tired from waking up this AM with a severe migraine and did not want to risk dropping anything...so I took a nap instead.

Now, at 11:15 in the evening, I look over and that cabinet door is still open. Well, I guess the least I could do is close it before I go to bed. Tomorrow is another day.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 17 We interrupt this blog to bring you ZOMBIE BABIES

That's what I said, Zombie Babies!

I posted on an earlier blog about how my search for glass eyes for my Santas brought up references to "Reborn Babies" and I started searching through images of these lifelike dolls. Well, some of the better ones looked like actual babies.

Something else kept popping up in my search, and that was Reborn Zombie Babies. Then I started looking on eBay and Etsy where there are a variety of styles.

This is a ZOMBIE BABY

So, instead of working on Santas like I am SUPPOSED to be doing...I have been painting my own Zombie Baby.

My very first Zombie Baby is named after Michonne, as in The Walking Dead. 

But in my version, She was one bad@$$ Zombie Killer until one of the Unbit grabbed her Samurai sword and took a couple of good swipes at her. Obviously, she didn't make it.

Now she'll reek havoc like never before, and she won't even need her sword!

The thing in her stomach is her voice box.

She used to say a little bedtime prayer, but with the battery running down it sounded a bit creepy

When I bought her she had two cute little ponytails, was "nekkid "and looked a bit played with. I don't think anyone will be "playing" with her now!

The first thing I did was cut out her eyes...GROSSSS!...and replaced them with clear glass marbles.

After I re-styled to her hair and teased up the bangs and strands of hair in the back to make it look like patches of hair.

Then I sprayed a gray primer for plastic all over her head and body.

Because her hair was so silky and shiny, I had to spray paint it just to dull it down.

Her scars were created with a hot glue gun by both applying glue or by using the hot tip to manipulate it.

It took me about seven hours, including the hairdo, to transform her into a Zombie Baby but I really enjoyed myself. I learned a new technique with the glue gun.

I've been getting a lot of comments about how scary she looks and that she's going to give someone nightmares.

Well, then. My job here is done.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 16 My Most Expensive Santa

I almost titled this post "My Most Valuable Santa" but VALUE really doesn't have as much to do with what I spent on it, it is more of what it means to me.

Since this Santa is the one I paid the most for, that does make "Trudging Santa" by George John my most expensive Santa.

If you've read my previous posts, you might remember me writing about at shop, St. Nick and Friends in Wimberley, TX, that was only open for a few years back in the nineties. I can't recall if it was 1992 or 1993 when my friend, Judy S. and I first found the shop and marveled at all the original hand carved Santas created by famous artists like Bolinger and Costanza, and some carved by not-so-famous artists. 

Since both of us were new mom's and neither of us could justify purchasing any of the original work by the famous artist, we both picked out a couple of hand carved Santa ornaments, and Judy found a hand carved Santa pulling a sleigh with a tree on it, carved by a Texas artist. 

Then Judy found a Trudging Santa (much like this one) by George John.

We both marveled at the craftsmanship and colors. Even though John's work was priced much lower than the more famous artists, he was still rather expensive, at least for my budget. Judy was concerned whether or not she should invest in such a piece, and even considered putting back her Santa and the sleigh even though we'd already decided on the perfect place to put it in her home. Still, she could not resist, and both Santas were bagged in the shop's adorable little canvas bags and her Santas have decorated her home ever since.

I really admired her "Trudging Santa",  he is so simply styled yet you can see how he is struggling to carry the heavy bag and cumbersome tree. Red, gold, green, and navy have always been my favorite colors and his face has such a serious expression as if his efforts are of utmost importance. 

A couple of years later, George John carved another "Trudging Santa". It would have been way too expensive for Judy to purchase this as a gift, so instead, she ordered several of my Santas gourds to give to her family and friends as gifts.  With that money and a little extra cash, I was able to purchase my own "Trudging Santa". 

We never had a chance to meet this artist, or have I ever found anything about George John on the internet. He may have just whittled as a hobby and perhaps he created very few Santas.

"Trudging Santa" has always been on display in my home, he has a special shelf my brother made for me, and is flanked by two antique wooden candlesticks.  

Every time I look up at him, I think of Judy and all the fun we have had over the past twenty-seven years. Even though she's still in Texas and I live in Louisiana now, we keep in touch and in August this year, I spend almost two weeks with her. I just love her!

Now, I do have other Santas that were marked up as much, if not a higher price than I paid for him, but I bought them at after Christmas sales, etc.

Getting back to what I said at the begin, "I almost titled this post "My Most Valuable Santa" but VALUE really doesn't have as much to do with what I spent on it, it is more of what it means to me.". this Santa does indeed have a GREAT VALUE as a reminder of my very dear friend, Judy S. and all the good times we have shared.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 15 It's Not How Much You Spend; It's How Much You Save

I am very proud of myself for making it almost half way through these 31 days!

But I don't think my husband is going to be as pleased...

We have a saying around our house that I used as my title for this blog post.

I had placed a bid on another Anthony Castanza Santa and shortly after I place the bid, the seller contacted me and told me that her sister's dog and chewed on it so she took it off eBay. That, and being sniped at the very last second on two Russian Ded Moriz (not that I really needed anymore) was making me feel rather blue. So I searched eBay for some interesting Santas and found some I that appealed to me.

I made offers on four listings and when the seller accepted them, I became the owner of a beau coup of Santas. I realized that if you combined all the Santas I just purchased they would probably be more than the majority of people even use to decorate for the holidays. The funny part is that there was at least one in each lot I really wanted. But after giving it some more thought, and the fact that I was getting them for such a great price, some of the others started to grow on me.

Now, I mentioned previously that I don't collect Santa "dolls "per se, but I do have a few. However, I have had my eye on a certain House of Hatten Santa Figure and today I found one in a lot with three other Santas.

On December 12, 2005, House of Hatten closed up shop after almost 30 years in business. These pieces were already collectibles, and what wasn't snatched up at their big going out of business sale, hit eBay and were going for much more than their original retail prices. Nearly ten years later, these pieces are still winning the hearts of collectors and are selling for top dollar at various auction sites.

I just happened to find this guy by luck because H of H was not mentioned in the title or the description. But I recognize that cute face and jumped right on it!

These size dolls are running anywhere from thirty to fifty dollars.

Not only was I able to purchase the H of H Santa at nearly half of its going price, as a bonus, I get these two other adorable Santas.

Now I know a bit about handcrafted Santas and a bit more about popular Santa artists, but I have to say that I have never seen these before.

I can tell by their style that they are by the same artist, especially by their adorable faces. The fact that their beards are made from Tibetan or Mongolian lamb hair (Yes, they call it hair instead of wool) usually means a higher quality figure but the fake fur is more of a "made in China" finish. Well, most of the artist's reproductions are being made in China and real fur is rather difficult to work with because it does shed.

Regardless, I think these two will be keepers. Unfortunately, the patchwork Santa will have to go in my sell pile.

But there is more...

After I made an offer on the House of Hatten listing, I decided to see what else the seller had available and found these. Well, believe it or not...I have always wanted one of these Santas on a bicycle. I know...right? Except the one I had seen before was much larger. But hey, this guy's proportions will look better with my other figures. Now, the seller said that these were all wood; however, I believe that the one on the bike will have a resin body and the one of the polar bear will be resin as well.


I am rather certain about the polar bear because I have a similar Santa on an elk.


















Now why Santa is on an elk, I have no idea, but a polar bear I can believe.

Seriously, I've GOT to dust!

Even this Santa with the sour expression will look great with my other hand carved Santas.






































Don't touch that X...there is still more!

I made an offer on this listing because, well, since I was making an offer on the other "dolls" I thought I throw this one in as well.

He appears to be made by the same artist as the other two from the first eBay listing. The quality looks the same. I believe he may have a wool beard, perhaps mohair, and his face appears more chiseled. Regardless, I think he's adorable.

This Santa also came in the lot. Even though I don't collect "figurines" I really like this one and I am glad he was in this lot.

He might be a keeper as well.

He is pretty enough to fetch a good price on eBay.

Now this one might just be a mass produces resin figure for discount stores, but his base resembles another artist's work and could be one from the eighties. I won't know until he arrives in the mail.

This guy and the other Santas are really not my style, but don't worry, I will find them good homes.

And finally...I just had to make an offer on one more lot because...

there is a House of Hatten in there.  See if you can spot him.

Well, I did! Now, I think this guy might be damaged. He probably was holding bells in his hand and his hanger is missing. Don't worry, I know how to fix him.

The other reason I was interested in this lot are the toys. Since I craft Santas I like to have toys to put in their bags and this lot has not only toys, but toys in a bag!

The ceramic sleigh is also not my style, so I'll have to sell it to help pay for all the other pieces.

Selling things on eBay will be my November project!

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 14 What to Do With Broken Santas

Today I received another broken Santa from an eBay purchase.

This is my THIRD purchase to arrive damaged during shipping.  The woman who packaged him did not bother to wrap him or the other Santas he came with, but I am grateful it was only this one.





















If you've read my previous blogs, you'll recall that my first to arrive in pieces was the Costanza Santa that I was so looking forward to adding to my collection.











He arrived with his feet and base broken off.

Then I received another shipment of Santas that were not wrapped at all. I could not believe it when I picked up the box and heard the ornaments rolling around.

I bid on this lot because of the three House of Hatten (2 Santas/1 elf in a stocking) that apparently now one else saw because I got the entire lot for the opening bid of $6.00. But when I opened the box, Ebenezer Scrooge's (top left) hand was broken and one of the jingle bells on the metal Santa (bottom center) was broken off as well. I am just glad that the H of H ornaments made it unscathed. That was a miracle!

So, what does one do with a broken ornament? 

Resin is a very popular way to make copies from an original piece. I have pieces that are cast in a heavy resin (usually brown) poured into silicone molds. This made for heavy figures. You can usually tell if a hand carved figure is wood or resin by the weight in that if it is solid resin, it is heavier than most woods; if it seems light in weight, it is probably a hollow resin copy. I can tell by tapping it against my bottom teeth whether it is wood or resin.

The hollow resin technique is used in mass produced ornaments and decorations that need to be lighter weight, and are made by pouring the resin in a mold and giving it a swirl. Resin in this form is not the ideal material to work with.  It can be as thick as half and inch in some areas paper thin in others, therefore it can break easily. 

I have found that when it breaks, unlike bisque, ceramic, or porcelain, it tends to flex. This can make it difficult to alight the pieces. When repairing resin, I usually use super glue or a modeling glue that performs the same as super glue. 

Usually, there will be some touching up to do and I've found acrylic paints can touch up the cracks and last a long time with minimal handling. I usually put a dab of sealer over it that is either flat, gloss, or a mixture of the two to match the piece I am repairing.

I recently repaired a few House of Hatten pieces. They really do break easily, usually because of a paper thin area of resin. I used super glue and a tiny amount a non firing clay that dries to a hard finish to fill in the chipped areas, repainted and dabbed on some matching sealer. 

I found this huge piece by Denise Calla (H of H artist) with both of the front runners broken clean off. It only cost me $5 at Goodwill, but after I repaired the damage, it could easily pass as mint and go for over $100 on eBay. 

Of course, zoomed in you can see the where it was repaired.

I need to find some of this fine glitter to cover up the repaired area.

I tried scraping off some of the loose glitter but it wasn't enough to really patch the repaired area, but if you look at the whole piece, there are several other bare areas.

The clay works well for me but in the case of missing pieces or pieces that are just to thin to glue, I found this great little tip on Yahoo Answers. 

"Dave" offered this suggestion and I may have to use this technique one day.

"I would look into an automotive body filler such as Bondo or an epoxy putty such as Tech Steel. You should be able to find both, or similar, in an automotive store. They both are shapeable, harden quickly by a reactive process, can be easily filed and sanded when dry, paint well and have similar properties to the resin that the ornament is made out of. I would tend to suggest the putty first because it is firmer and more mouldable but be aware that it hardens in a few minutes. You will need to form a rough shape and then fine tune when fully hardened."

I first started repairing ceramic, bisque and porcelain figures in the early nineties. Because as an artist, I work with so many different mediums, I tend to have a lot of materials on hand to experiment with. I would find things at flea markets and yard sales that had minimal damage and repair them. The damage areas were undetectable. 

My greatest challenge was a Lladro figurine that a friend brought me that was broken in half along with several small pieces. Glueing it together was one thing. Gluing heavy pieces together can be challenging enough, but adding the small puzzle like pieces with some inside beveled edges was a whole other thing. I figured out how to assemble the pieces, but I still had to fill the missing chips and repaint and find a glaze that would work.  

So, after I matched the Lladro signature blue with watered down acrylic paint, I touched up the filled in chips and added Diamond Glaze. This is the product I used on my Santa Claus eyes because it gave them a more realistic look. When I bought it, it was in a jar. Now that I have finally recalled the name, I found that it now comes in a bottle. Great stuff! And it adheres to glass. So, the Lladro was saved. I can't say it was my best work considering all the damage. But I can say that it looks better on a shelf than in a trash can!

Don't give up on your broken ornaments. There are plenty of products out there you can use to repair the ones that are the most sentimental or are a part of your favorite collection. Practice on some that you are not as sentimental about and you'll be surprised with what you can do.

I don't care much for the Gorilla brand of Super Glue. It is a paint work with on any surface and I had to glue this one twice which meant a layer of glue which caused the crack to be more pronounced.
Also, super glue can cause a bit of reaction to the paint (like turpentine or paint thinner) and you can see where it smeared on the white and how the crack is visible.

Since this is not a collectible ornament, I took some liberties with my painting technique and added some ermine. I was painting rather quickly, and I wish now that I had taken my time and done it neatly. DANG IT! But the added detail camouflaged the repair. You can still see a tiny crack but I'll touch that up later. I couldn't see it until it was blown up on the image.

I also painted a date on him, just for fun.

So here he is, back in one piece and not so worse for wear. His hanger was missing so I added a screw eye. I did not have any gold so I painted it red.

Finally, I replaced the wire belt around his waist, touched up a few too many dark spots on his beard, and this Christmas he'll join the rest of my 300 Santas on the tree.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 13 Great Blogs by Other Santa Collectors

Instead of writing about my collection or crafting, I decided to dedicate the 13th day to other crafters and collectors who blog about their Santas.

Angie McKaig blogs about her Santa Claus and Crafting at http://www.santacollectors.com A year-round guide for fans of Kris Kringle. Angie is way ahead of me with her blog and Santa enthusiasts can find very well researched and written posts on the various types of Santas to collect, along with information about other Santa artists and crafters.

Dorothy's blog, "The Joy of Christmas", is chocked full of anything and everything you'd want to know about the holiday season.

David Claudon share's his Santa Claus collection (including the tiniest Santa I've ever seen) on his blog David's Gallimauphry. According to his site, a gallimaufry means a a hodgepodge, jumble, confused and his blog features such a variety of interesting topics, that is the perfect name for it.

The Collection Studio is a great blog site featuring articles on every type of collecting you can imagine. The link I've added is an article about Mr. Jean-Guy LaGuerre, the Guiness Book of World's Record holder for the most Santa Claus items. Believe me, I have no intention of competing with his over 25,000 Santas!

I be sure to add more blogs and blogposts as I find them.

Well, once again, it is late and I've been working at the lake house. I finally finished the tiled backsplash in the kitchen but it still needs grouting.

I'm taking a few days off, so I hope I'll get to play with my Santas and maybe craft a few as well.